Defiance

I Am the naked sand forsaken by the sea.

I Am the grass upon the sand-dunes waving free.

I Am the iridescence of a crashing wave.

I Am the smooth-carved tunnels of a coastal cave.

I Am the salt-marsh rushes cutting mist like swords.

I Am the cracked clam and the feeding insect hordes.

So! You would write Me down with a pen!

You would describe Me and give Me a name!

Find Me a name, then, namer of things!

Here I wait, singing; give Me a name!

I Am the molten emerald algae, living poured

on wave-washed jagged rocks that sweetly lured

bright fish to pools that dry in noon's red sun.

I Am the fish, betrayed, expiring one by one.

I Am the sun, and the sleek gull-wing's swooping gleam.

I Am the mocking echo of a sea-gull's scream.

I Am the pungent fish-salt smell that fills the air.

I Am the wave-tossed breeze that lonely whispers there.

Give Me a name then, namer of things!

Me, the Great Nameless, call what you will.

Wrap Me in words then, spinner of words.

Encompass Me if you can! (1964)

© Tamara Rasmussen 2018